self management uk, a charity leading provider of self-management training and education in the UK, joined forces with Hywel Dda University Health Board in Wales to improve access to community-based combined self-management education and exercise classes for people with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
The project was devised in 2014, with delivery in 2015, offering a combined approach that included an exercise programme and self-management education for patients with COPD and other chronic lung conditions, who were limited by their breathlessness (MRC 2 or below).
The objectives were to increase exercise capability in individuals, with the Self Management for Life COPD Programme enabling patients to maintain their day-to-day activities for longer, therefore slowing the progression of the disease and reducing the need to become dependent on others. The long-term aim is to encourage regular exercise to prevent deconditioning (muscle weakness).
The 7-week programme was led by a lay tutor and a health professional tutor. Both tutors supported the exercise element attached to the programme.
Two programmes were delivered, one in Swiss Valley Community Hall and one in the Selwyn Samuel Centre Llanelli, with 18 people completing the course in total.
Shuttle Walk Tests[i] were completed by 14 participants with positive results. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with most rating the sessions as ‘excellent’.
Claire Hurlin, Head Chronic Conditions Management, Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We undertook a qualitative review of our Self Management for Life COPD Programme with Swansea University and one element that the participants’ asked for was exercise to be part of the self-management programme.”
Cheryl Berry, Projects and Policy Manager at self management uk, said: “Self-management is crucial to give people with COPD the tools and skills they need to manage their health condition and improve their wellbeing. This combined approach, blending self-management training and an exercise programme, has proven to be very successful. We look forward to developing this model further to reach out to more patients.”
The programme will continue to run, with the support of the Llanelli GP Cluster. To help patients keep up the lessons learnt and increased physical activity, an Integrated Breathe Easy Support Group, led by people with respiratory conditions, has been set up, in partnership with the British Lung Foundation Wales. The support group runs every 4th Friday of the month at the Selwyn Samuel Centre 10am 12 noon.
For information on the group, please contact Pam Walters, Project Development Executive (Integrated Breathe Easy), on 01792 341979 or [email protected]
ENDS.
Notes to Editors:
[i] The purpose of this test is to see how far and fast an individual can walk (without stopping for a rest) by following a series of time signals
